Workshops, concert highlight 16th annual Feria del Mariachi

The Latin Music Studies area at Texas State University will host the 16th annual Feria del Mariachi conference May 1-2 at various locations in San Marcos.

The two-day schedule of events includes a mariachi competition for middle school and high school mariachis, workshops on vocal and instrumental techniques and a finale concert.

Mariachi workshops will take place at the Texas State School of Music 6-10 p.m. May 1. The mariachi competition will take place 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, May 2 at Evans Auditorium on campus. The finale concert will be 7:30 p.m. May 2 in Strahan Coliseum. Doors open at 7 p.m.

During the finale concert, Sebastien De La Cruz will perform and present Lifetime Achievement Awards to the members of Las Tesoros de San Antonio who have more than a century of performing experience among them. The concert will also feature the 2015 All State Mariachi, middle school and high school competition winners and Texas State’s own award-winning Mariachi Nueva Generación.

Tickets for the finale concert are $25 for preferred seating for adults, $20 preferred seating for students/seniors, $20 general admission adult and $15 general admission students/seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at www.txstatepresents.universitytickets.com, at Victory Cleaners in San Marcos or at the door on May 2 starting at 6 p.m.

Feria del Mariachi’s mission is to promote mariachi education and culture in schools and the community by exposing students to successful figures in the mariachi community and providing them a chance to meet other young musicians.

For more information on the festival, contact the Latin Music Studies program at (512) 245-2651, or visit the website, www.feriadelmariachi.com.